By Robert D. Prunetti
The Trenton-Mercer Airport has the potential to become an economic
jewel for the entire region. For too long, in my estimation, we’ve
allowed this gemstone to dull due to underutilization. With the strategic business plan of Frontier Airlines,
the development plans of Ewing Township and the demonstrated commitment
of the Hughes administration at the county level, the chances of
success for the airport to evolve into a vital part of our state’s
economic future have never shone so brightly.
Let’s take a look at airports as economic generators. According to a
study by CDM Smith, in 2010, airports in the U.S. directly employed 1.3
million people. Visitor activity at U.S. airports created 3.6 million
jobs. Adding the multiplier effect of the economic impact of airports,
we find that airports employ 10.5 million people with an annual payroll
of $365 billion, with total economic activity of $1.2 trillion. In New
Jersey, 231,000 jobs are created by our airports, with an annual payroll
of more than $9 billion. More than $31 billion of annual economic
activity is generated by New Jersey commercial airports.
The FAA forecasts that Trenton-Mercer will be serving 11 million
people by 2025. The FAA also projects that by 2025, air travel will
increase by 50 percent. It believes that investments in smaller regional
airports such as Trenton-Mercer will relieve pressure on larger
airports such as Newark and Philadelphia and enhance local economies.
There are about 4 million people within a 40-minute drive time from
Trenton-Mercer airport. We have easy access from every major highway
between Philadelphia and New York, and parking is far more economical
than at the larger airports. We have good public transportation
alternatives on site or within close proximity to the airport. Frontier
Airlines now offers a number of flights at competitive prices to popular
destinations. The growth projections in air travel, easy access to the
airport and competitive pricing, positions Trenton-Mercer well to take
advantage of a growing industry.
In Ewing Township, where the airport is located, Mayor Steinmann is
developing a plan to redevelop the old General Motors and Navy Jet
Propulsion sites into a vibrant mixed-use commercial/retail site. This
plan alone will enhance the West Trenton portion of Ewing Township
dramatically — but combined with the potential of the airport, it
becomes a rare jewel.
By repositioning the air terminal from its current location to one
adjacent to the Navy site, the development will serve as a
transportation hub, connecting air, rail and vehicular transportation
services for millions of people. This hub would offer “economic
fortification” — the activity generated by the transportation center
will economically support the business of the commercial and retail
developments at the site. In turn, the consumers who do business with
the commercial and retail developments will be reintroduced to the
revitalized transportation services available at the hub. This is a
natural convergence of economic forces and produces a great opportunity.
That gemstone is starting to shine now!
Mercer County has also recently proposed to develop parts of the
airport property into commercial and industrial niche locations,
showcasing high-tech and emerging growth industries. The airport is a
valuable element in that economic infrastructure.
Workforce talent is an essential quality an area must offer to
attract these industries. The mid-Jersey region is rich in this talent,
but now we also have the means to provide air transportation to an
ever-mobile talent pool from those industries.
The Hughes administration has shown foresight with its aggressive
promotion of a new air carrier at Trenton-Mercer Airport and the further
development of the airport property. It is moving in the right
direction in allowing more flights to more destinations. Rapid growth
will occur if businesses and consumers see the advantages of
Trenton-Mercer over other major airports, i.e.: competitive pricing to
popular destinations, ease of access, comfort and commercial
opportunities.
The MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce supports the Hughes administration
and Mayor Steinmann in their efforts to bring this opportunity to
fruition. We encourage the support of these economic jewels so they
shine brighter and more brilliantly in the future.
Robert D. Prunetti is president and CEO of the MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce (MIDJerseyChamber.org).
Source: http://www.nj.com
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